FA launch probe into Marvin Sordell abuse at Millwall

The allegations centred on the visitors’ subs, including England Under-21 striker Marvin Sordell, as they warmed up.

Sordell tweeted: “Putting the match aside, it’s 2012 in England and people are still shouting racial abuse at a game? Shocking.”

The Met Police confirmed that they would get involved if necessary, but added that no official complaint had yet been made to them.

The controversial incident occurred after the break as Wanderers winger Chris Eagles was drawn into a running battle with home fans.

He exchanged gestures with them after appearing to dive to try and win a penalty. The winger then scored from a free-kick before winning a clear-cut spot-kick, which he fired over, much to delight of the Lions faithful.

Millwall skipper Danny Shittu claimed the Bolton star had allowed himself to be distracted.

He said: “I saw him egging on the crowd and when he missed the penalty, we were all buzzing. I think his head went after that and our fans were really on his back.”

Darius Henderson gave the hosts a 17th-minute lead, but Eagles looked as if he had won a point for Bolton, before the Lions’ front man struck again at the death, firing home his sixth of the season.

Trotters boss Owen Coyle knows the pressure is mounting on him, but he refused to accept his team had been overawed.

He said: “We’re used to playing front of sixty or seventy thousand, why would a crowd of ten thousand intimidate us?”